The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1887-08-12
A Gratifying Contrast.

Some years ago, when Robeson was
Secretary of the Navy with Chandler
as outside manager, and later when
Chandler was Secretary with Robson
as outside manager, the award of con-
tracts for the construction or repair of
vessels for the Navy was an occasion
for the gathering of all the naval job
bers from the eastern to the western
sea. No legitimate ship builder
thought of obtaining contract on the
merits of his work or the amount of
his bid, and none attempted to reach
the contracting power of the govern
ment except through outside lobby.
sharks who had tie ear and often
moulded the action of the highest
authority of the Naval Department.
The result of this combination of
jobbers from every part of the country
was the expenditure of scores of mill
ions of money producing vessels which
were valuable only to naval jobbers for
repair contracts ; and our Navy became
at once the shame of the nation and the
central figure of the official rottenness
and proflgaoy which finally drove the
long dominant party from power.
Only rabid partisans who were ready
for the most desperate party expedi-
ents and ready to pay for polluting
elections out of stolen government
money, were thought of as eligible as
bidders for contracts, and often con-
tracts amounting to millions were CIV
en- to political or jobbing favorites
without even inviting competition.
The result was profigate naval expen-
dltures with only useless ships and
theft and decentralization ruling one of
the most important departments of the
government.
Several months ago proposals for the
construction of war vessels were open
ed by Secretary Whitney, and the not
able feature of the occasion was the
en''re absence of the old naval jobbers
and lobby-thieves, and the presence of
responsible bidders of every political
faith. There were Democrats and Re.
publicans side by side and each knew
that his politics or party services could
neither help nor hinder him in obtain
ing contract. The Cramps of this
city we're there as bidders. They are
as ardent Republicans as is Mr.. Blaine
himself, but were practically excluded
from favor in former naval contracts
because of their legitimate business
methods, and with them were legiti-
mate business men from every section
and of every political persuasion. They
knew without being specially told by
any, that the bidder who attempted
crookedness would be certain to fall,
and the singular spectacle was present
ed of thoroughly honest and business
like disposal of contracts for millions
of dollars awarded by the Navy De-
partment to the lowest and best bid.
ders regardless of politics.
On Monday last another most gratl-
flying contrast with former awards OF
naval contracts was exhibited in Wash
ington. Bids were opened by Secre-
tary Whitney on that day for three
large cruisers and two gunboats, and
there was no crowd of lobby-thieves
jostling each other and proposing COM
bines with bidders. There were Re-
publicahs and Democrats there to bid,
but each knew that his politics or his
party services or party contributions
were not clements which entered into
the award Of contracts. The Cramps
of this city were there and their bids
assure a large proportion of the con-
tracts, just as they did some months
ago at former award and nobody
thought of bowling around the depart
ment or shrieking In the lobbies of
hotels that million-dollar contracts
were given to men who vote the Re-
publican ticket and contribute to its
cause. 1t is this resolute administra
tion of public Office as a public trust
that is defying all the grcwls aud jars
OF spoilsmen and plunderers, and that
is daily making honest government
stronger with the people of ali parties
Times.